This is the only statement that I find confusing. Earning more money does result in additional taxes, but also results in additional income. I don't see how this would make it more difficult to pay down debt. Maybe its that they can't earn enough additional income to pay off the debt and maintain their current lifestyle. A combination of additional income and decreased spending should be the most effective way to pay down debt (regardless whether it is back taxes or credit card).

I think that having your own business with an income that fluctuates puts you into a gambling frame of mind... get a new idea with new customers and you will earn more... earn more and you work harder and need to spend some cash to rest a little... OK since you plan to earn some more later... and most of the time it works... that is... until lately... so there is the need to learn to live within your means when all of your business life has been one of learning how to earn more to cover what you previously spent... and how can you bring the family along with that reining in if all they have known is prosperity... need to wait it out and then provide them with prosperity again...

It's easy to say that you should spend within your means if you have always had a salary or a predictable income that you cannot increase with a few more ideas and a little more work... a lot like investing unless you have a method and stick to it...